Parking Charges at Druridge Bay and others is all about revenue for the Tories but what about locals
Much has been said this week about the reintroduction of Parking Charges at Druridge Bay Country Parks and others across Northumberland.
A lot has also been made about the potential for these charges to put off people visiting from outside the area, this may well be the case but for me it goes a little deeper than that. It's about the immediate community, its about mental health and its about affordability of those close by.
I'm going to talk about Druridge Bay Country Parks its the only one I know about inside out. Since the announcement I have had a range of correspondence from people outside the area but more worryingly to me those that live near by.
Mrs X wrote:
Dear Cllr Dickinson
I attend Druridge Bay Country Parks 3 times a week with friends, its part of an informal group I attend that helps us meet, walk and improve our mental health, being surrounded by such beauty in the fresh air has really helped us. I am concerned we will be unable to afford up to £9 a week to park and continue this, can you make this point please.
Best wishes
Mrs X
Mr A wrote:
Dear Cllr Dickinson
I attend a running club and it is a massive part of what I do, we are there for over an hour (therefore it wont be free) we often use the cafe and socialise afterwards. It has been a comfort to me for a variety of personal reasons. Is the proposal that we should complete our activities under the hour, rush back to the car and leave. Surly this is a false economy the Council would have made more from us in the cafe? Please get them to see sense.
Best wishes
Mr A
I could really go on.............
The contact I have had are really from older people in the immediate community that say things like:
1) We have lived through the Opencast that created the Country Parks, I have paid my Council Tax all my life and now you want me to pay to use the facilities close to us because we are not fit enough to walk to them.
2) Druridge Bay Country Parks was always supposed to be FREE to locals, it was part of the promise when plans were approved.
3) I love visiting the site, my doctor has said I need to excercise more, I need to drive to the site but wont be able to afford the charges.
4) Congestion on the Beach Road will now be unsafe, everyone will go there and park for FREE.
5) We are being hit by an extra 8% in Council Tax why isn't that paying for these so called improvements.
Recent coverage in the Gazette & Chronicle
Read here Northumberland Gazette
Read here Newcastle Chronicle
My desired outcome, (should I have been consulted) would have been a pass for locals and regular users. This would have been an approach that allowed the continuation for those who use the parks for a variety of reasons. They would then not have been pushed out because of cost. This would also allow the additional benefits experienced by the system such as cafe usage and others, this would continue the benefits experienced by local businesses too with people visiting shops etc...
